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A Rainy Day By Peter Graham

A Rainy Day
By Peter Graham, R.A. (1836-1921)
In the Tate Gallery, London

Like many other artists, Mr. Peter Graham began his career by producing paintings of an entirely different character from those which afterwards became associated with his name. His taste for art was apparent at a very early age, and he was no more than fourteen years old when he entered the School of Design in his native city, Edinburgh. He was fortunate in having as instructor a successful teacher, Robert Scott Lauder, whose aim was "to teach the students how to see." Certainly he taught young Graham how to use his eyes for the betterment of his art, as he taught Graham's fellow-students, John Pettie, W.Q. Orchardson, and John MacWhirter.

Peter Graham devoted himself with success to figure subjects, and at twenty-four was elected an Associate of the Scottish Academy. He used to paint his backgrounds out of doors, and his trained observation, coupled with natural taste, developed in him a preference for landscape work. His name now suggests landscapes and animal paintings and fine sea pictures, in all of which he displayed a remarkable feeling for the beauties of atmospheric effect.

"A Rainy Day," exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1871, may be regarded as a sort of stepping-stone from his early style to his maturer method. It gives an indication of his power of rendering atmosphere, while it yet retains some trace of his early figure work.

From the book "Famous Paintings" printed in 1913.

Large files of this public domain print are available at Stock Photos at Songs of Praise
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Online "Name the Painting"

Peter Graham

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2016-01-12 Wow! Great to find a post with such a clear measegs! Justus

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